MINISTER FOR INDEPENDENCE FORGETTING HIS CULTURE BRIEF - SMITH

12.00.00am GMT Tue 3rd Mar 2009

Liberal Democrat Culture spokesperson Iain Smith MSP has seized on a newspaper report that the set up cost for the arts' new funding body, Creative Scotland, is expected to reach £4 million.

Financial confusion surrounding the merger of Scotland's arts industries was the main reason for MSPs throwing out the Creative Scotland Bill last year.

Successive Culture Ministers have refused to meet with opposition MSPs to find a way forward.

Commenting, Mr Smith said:

"Instead of focusing on being Minister for Independence, the Culture Minister needs to sort out the mess the SNP has created for Scotland's creative industries.

"It beggars belief that nine months after the Creative Scotland Bill was thrown out because of chaotic funding plans, Ministers have failed to produce clear funding plans for the new arts body.

"I have repeatedly offered to work with the Government to find a way forward. This offer has been ignored."

Ends.